Infant&#39;s dressing table



E. ROCKER INFANT'S DRESSING TABLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

F1125. Aug. 30, 1965 INVENTOR.

ELMER ROCKER ATTORNEYS 135M511 3%? E. ROCKER 3,313,584

INFANTS DRESSING TABLE ATTOR N EYS Apfifl 1M, 3967 oc INFANTS DRESSING TABLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 30, 1965 JNVENTOR.

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INFANT S DRES SING TABLE Filed Aug. 30, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 i. 7 5 40 wit? 5 44 /-36 J 48 a4 29 f f 32* 1 45 1/ H9 LU] w; jflfi F as an 42 'Q/ZQ Q n23 22 1 36 m g g 23 39 F 38 INVENTOR.

ELMER ROCKER ATTORNEYS Aprifi 111, 396? E. ROCKER 393E35$4 INFANT'S DRESSING TABLE Filed Aug. 30, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m g 59 56 59d L a i r I in? /59e 5 30 E k fig. ,4 s N N y N 33 \L/ q & 3% o 36 Fig. if

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ELMER ROCKER ATTORNEYS United States Patent "cc 3,313,584 INFANTS DRESSING TABLE Elmer Rocker, 3715 Warrensville Road, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122 Filed Aug. 30, 1965, Ser. No. 483,511 Claims. (Cl. 312-201) This invention relates generally to dressing tables for infants, but has reference more particularly to a dressing table of the foldable type.

Dressing tables of the foldable type are usually provided with a table top which is adapted to support the infant during dressing or Undressing of the infant, and with drawers disposed below the table top, some of which drawers are movable into superimposed or tier-like relationship with other drawers, when the table is folded or closed.

Such dressing tables are usually of complicated construction, embodying parts which are difficult to manufacture and assemble, and difficult to open or close, and embody materials and constructional features which render it difficult to maintain the table in a clean, sanitary condition, and which, moreover, are subject to breakage or damage.

Such tables are further characterized by the fact that parts thereof have rough edges which are likely to damage the delicate clothing of the infant, or to cause in jury to the infantv The present invention has, as its primary object, the provision of a dressing table of the character described, which is of simple construction, embodies parts which are relatively easy to manufacture and assemble, and are made of materials which are easily maintainable in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dressing table of the character described, which is attractive in appearance, light in weight, and can be transported or shipped, as well as stored, in a minimum of space.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dressing table of the character described, all of the parts of which are free from rough edges, thereby eliminating any possibility of damage to the infants clothing, or injury to the infant.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dressing table in closed or folded condition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dressing table in open or unfolded condition;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the table, 7

in open or unfolded condition, but with the top pad omitted;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the drawers of the table;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-secional view, taken on the line 77 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 88 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 99 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 101!i of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 11--11 of FIG. 7, and

3,313,584 Patented Apr. 11, 1967 FIG. 12 is a view, partly in elevation, and partly in section of a modified drawer.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 11 inclusive of the drawings, the infants dressing table will be seen to comprise a pair of long tubular end legs 1 and 2, a second pair of long tubular end legs 3 and 4, a short intermediate leg 5, and a long intermediate leg 6. The end legs 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the intermediate leg 6 are flared outwardly at their lower ends for purposes of stability and attractiveness of appearance and these flared portions as well as the lower end of the leg 5 terminate in ballshaped elements 7 which facilitate movement of the dressing table along a floor. For this purpose, coasters, glides, casters and the like may be used.

Secured to the legs 1 and 2, as by sheet-metal screws 8 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), is a pair of vertically-spaced drawers designated generally by reference numerals 9.

Each of the drawers 9 is molded, in a single piece, from a plastic, such, for example, as polyethylene or polypropylene, to provide a square bottom 10, and sides 11, 12, 13 and 14, which are flared slightly outwardly with respect to the bottom 10, and which terminate at their upper ends in a continuous flange of L-shaped crosssection, consisting of a horizontal portion 15 (see FIGS. 3, 6 and 8) and a downturned portion 16 in spaced relationship to the sides of the drawer. The upper surfaces of the portions 15 of the flange are bevelled as at 17 and 18 to provide a central elevated ridge 19, the purpose or advantage of which will be presently described.

The sides 11, 12, 13 and 14 extend downwardly, as best seen in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, past the bottom 10 to form a continuous skirt portion 20 having a rounded lower edge 211a, and the bottom 10 of each drawer is further provided on its lower surface with depending ribs 21 (see FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6) which serve to reinforce the bottom.

Each of the drawers 9 is molded at its rear right corner (as best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7) to provide a tubular corner 22, which extends inwardly of the drawer, and with a tubular extension 23, which extends below the level of the skirt portion 20 of the drawer, and which is, in effect, an extension of the tubular corner 22. The tubular corner 22 and tubular extension 23 have a conical bore 24. The internal diameter of the upper end of the bore 24 is slightly larger than the external diameter of the tubular extension 23, so that when any one of the drawers 9 is superimposed upon a similar drawer, in a manner to be presently described, the tubular extension 23 will nest into and have a slide or slip fit into the upper end of the bore of the tubular corner of the drawer upon which it is superimposed.

Reference has been made to the fact that the drawers 9 are secured to the legs 1 and 2.

For this purpose, spacers such as 25, which are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, are provided, these being preferably molded of a plastic, such, for example, as polyethylene. These spacers are inserted between the legs 1 and 2, and the sides 12 of the drawers 9, and have a vertical wall 26 of arcuate cross-section which embraces the legs 1 and 2, and a flat wall 27, which is inclined to correspond with the inclination of the sides 12, to thereby engage the latter along the full length of the spacer. The stems of the sheet metal screws 8 pass through apertures 28 in the spacers 25 and are screwed into the legs 1 and 2. Fibre washers 8a are interposed between the heads of the screws 8 and the inner surface of the wall 12 of the drawers.

The front faces of the sides 11 of the drawers 9 are embossed to provide areas or panels 29 which may be provided with a decorative design or embellishment, and

G the front faces of all of the sides may be textured in any desired manner for ornamental purposes.

The intermediate leg of the dressing table extends upwardly to the level of the lower edge of the downturned portion of the L-shaped flange of the lower drawer 9, and the side 14 of this lower drawer is secured to the leg 5 by means of sheet metal screws (not shown).

The intermediate leg 6, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 7, extends through the conical bores 24 of the drawers 9, and is locked against vertical movement relatively to these drawers by means of a sheet metal screw (not seen in FIG. 3), which extends through the tubular corner 22 of the lower of the drawers 9 and into the leg 6.

The dressing table, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9, further includes a pair of vertically-spaced drawers, in staggered and overlapping relationship to the drawers 9, and which are designated generally by reference numeral 31.

Each of the drawers 31 is of a construction and material identical with the drawers 9, but for the purpose of better understanding the manner in which these drawers are assembled with the drawers 9, the parts thereof will be described by reference characters different than those which have been applied to the drawers 9.

Each of the drawers 31 is provided with a square bottom 32, and sides 33, 34, 35 and 36 which are flared slightly outwardly with respect to the bottom 32, and which terminate at their upper ends in an L-shaped flange consisting of a horizontal portion 37 and a downturned portion 38 in spaced relation to the sides. The upper surfaces of the portions 37 of the flange are bevelled as at 39 and 40 to provide a central elevated ridge 41, the purpose or advantage of which will be presently described.

The sides 33, 34, 35 and 36 extend downwardly past the bottom 32 to form a continuous skirt portion 42, having a rounded lower edge 42a, and the bottom 32 of each drawer is further provided on its lower surface with depending ribs 43 which serve to reinforce the bottom.

Each of the drawers 31 is molded at its rear left corner to provide a tubular corner 44 which extends inwardly of the drawer, and with a tubular extension 45 which extends below the level of the skirt portion 42 of the drawer, and which is, in effect, an extension of the tubular corner 44. The tubular corner 44 and tubular extension 45 have a conical bore 46. The internal diameter of the upper end of the bore 46 is slightly larger than the external diameter of the tubular extension 45, so that when any one of the drawers 31 is superimposed upon a similar drawer, the tubular extension 45 will have a slide or slip fit into the upper end of the bore of the tubular corner of the drawer upon which it is superimposed.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 9 and 10', the drawers 31 are secured to the legs 3 and 4 of the dressing table, as by means of sheet metal screws 47 which extend through the sides 33 of the drawers.

Spacers 48, preferably molded of a plastic, such, for example, as polyethylene, are provided between the legs 3 and 4 and the sides 33 of the drawers 31, such spacers having an arcuate vertical wall 49 which embraces the legs 3 and 4, and a flat wall 50 which is inclined to correspond with the inclination of the sides 33 to thereby engage the latter. The stems of the sheet metal screws 47 pass through apertures 51 in the spacers 48 and are screwed into the legs 3 and 4.

The front faces of the sides 33 of the drawers 31 are embossed to provide areas or panels which may be provided with a decorative design or embellishment which corresponds to those provided on the areas or panels 29 of the sides 11 of the drawers 9, and the front faces of all of the sides may be textured in any desired manner for ornamental purposes.

In assembling the drawers 31 of the table with the drawers 9, the drawers 31 are placed in overlapping relationship with the drawers 9, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, and the tubular extensions 45 of the drawers 31 are inserted into the upper ends of the bores 24 of the drawers 9, so that the drawers 3]. rest on the drawers 9.

With the drawers 31 and 9' thus assembled, the intermediate leg 6 of the table is passed upwardly through the bores 24 of the drawers 9 and bores 46 of the drawers 31, after which a sheet metal screw is secured in position to lock the leg 6 against vertical movement relatively to the drawers.

The dressing table, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 11, further includes a top pad which consists of two square slabs 52 and 53 of polyethylene foam, bases 54 and 55 for these slabs made of thin hardboard material which rigidify the slabs and increase the supporting strength of the latter, and a cover 56 of vinyl or like plastic for the slabs and bases.

The cover 56 is hinged, as at 57, to permit the slab 53 and its base 55, and the portion of the cover 56 which encloses the slab 53 and base 55 to be folded into super imposed relationship with the slab 52, for a purpose to be presently described.

The top pad is secured to the legs 1 and 2 by means of angle brackets, not shown, which are attached, as by screws, to the base 54, and as by screws, to the legs 1 and 2.

A strap 58 is also provided, which is attached to the base 54, and is adapted for securing the infant to the top pad during the dressing and undressing of the infant.

A towel rack, not shown, may be removably secured to the legs 3- and 4, and a utility tray, now shown, may be removably secured to the legs 1 and 2.

As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 11, the base 54 of the slab 52 has secured therein a nut 59, in which a screw 59a is secured, the head of this screw supporting a clamp washer 5%, which is drawn into tight frictional engagement with the inner surface of the leg 6, thus securing the leg to the base 54. Interposed between the inner surface of the upper end of the bore 46 of the upper drawer 31 and the upper end of the leg 6 is a tubular plastic plug 590, which is provided at its upper end with an inwardly extending flange 59d which rests on the upper end of the leg 6, and an outwardly extending flange 59:: which overlies the tubular corner 44 of the upper drawer 31. This plug functions in a manner similar to the tubular extension 23 to provide a pivotal connection between the top pad and the upper drawer 31.

The dressing table is used, in an obvious manner, by disposing the infant on the opened top pad and clamping the infant to the pad by means of the strap 58.

-In opening the dressing table, preparatory to using it, the portion of the table consisting of the legs 3 and 4 and the drawers 31 supported by the latter, is swung horizontally, in an anti-clockwise direction, as viewed in top plan, about the leg 6, from the position shown in FIG. 1 to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

For the purpose of insuring that this portion of the table is not swung to a position beyond that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottoms 32 of the drawers 31 are provided adjacent one corner with depending tenons 60 (FIGS. 3 and 8), molded integrally with such bottoms, which extend into the drawers 9, and which come into abutment with the sides 14 of the drawers 9, when the: table has been fully opened, thereby preventing further movement of said portion of the table.

In effect, the drawers 31 are pivotally movable about. the leg 6, but due to the interposition of the tubular extensions 45 between the walls of the bores 24 and the legs 6, and the interposition of the tubular plug 59c between the wall of the bore 46 and the leg 6, the movement is noiseless, and there is no likelihood of looseness between the drawers, due to wear of parts.

The pivotal movement between the drawers 3 1 and 9 is facilitated by reason of the fact that the rounded edges 42a of the skirt portions 42 of the drawers 31 have a line contact with the ridges 19 of the drawers 9, which re;

duces the friction between the drawers during such pivotal movement.

This pivotal movement is further facilitated by reason of the provision of the ball-shaped elements 7 on the legs 3 and 4.

After the table has been used, the portion of the top pad comprising the slab 53, base 55, and covering of these parts is swung about the hinge 57 into superimposed relationship with the slab 52. The portion of the table consisting of the legs 3 and 4 and the drawers 31 supported by the latter is then swung to the position shown in FIG. 1, in which the drawers 3-1 are in superimposed relation with the drawers 9, forming a compact unit, which may be stored in a closet or other small space, or

which may be used as an attractive piece of furniture, in

the manner of a chest of drawers.

Due to the materials used in the construction of the dressing table, there are no rough edges which are likely to damage delicate clothing, and no parts which can be broken. Moreover, all the parts can be quickly and easily cleaned or washed, and are free from pockets or areas in which dirt or dust can accumulate. The entire dresser can, in fact, be easily washed with soap and water.

In FIG. 12, a modification of the drawer is shown, in which the drawer is molded to provide a continuous L- shaped flange consisting of a horizontal portion 15' and a downturned portion 16' in spaced relation to the sides 11', 12', 13' and 14 of the drawer. The lower edges of the downturned portion of the front portion of the drawer form a V, and the outer faces of this downturned portion maybe provided with any desired decoration, decorative design, or embellishment.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention, herewith shown and described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a dressing table of the character described, a pair of end legs, a second pair of end legs, an intermediate rear leg, drawers supported by said first-named legs, said drawers having tubular corner portions, drawers supported by said second pair of legs and pivotally movable about said intermediate rear leg, said second-named drawers being in staggered relationship to said first-named drawers and having tubular extensions fitting into the tubular corner portions of said first-named drawers, said tubular extensions being pivotally movable about the axis of said tubular corner portions of the first-named drawers.

2. A dressing table, as defined in claim 1, wherein all of said drawers are of molded plastic, molded in a single piece and are of identical construction, said tubular portions of said first-named drawers being molded integrally with said drawers and extending inwardly of said drawers, and said tubular extensions of said second-named drawers being molded integrally with said second-named drawers.

3. A dressing table, as defined in claim 2, wherein each drawer comprises a bottom and flared sides extending upwardly from said bottom and terminating at their upper edges in L-shaped flanges having upper surfaces defining a ridge.

4. A dressing table, as defined in claim 2, wherein spacers are interposed between said first-named legs and said first-named drawers, and similar spacers are interposed between said second-named legs and said secondnamed drawers.

5. A dressing table, as defined in claim 3, wherein said drawer sides have skirt portions extending below said bottoms and terminating in rounded lower edges adapted to slide over said ridges when any one of said drawers is moved over another drawer.

6. A dressing table, as defined in claim 5, wherein the bottom of each drawer is provided with a stop element depending from the bottom of the drawer, whereby when some of the drawers are moved pivotally relatively to a drawer therebelow, said stop element will engage the side of the drawer therebelow to limit the extent of said pivotal movement.

7. A dressing table, as defined in claim 6, wherein at least one side of each drawer is provided with an embossment defining an area adapted to be provided with a decorative design.

'8. A dressing table, as defined in claim 7, including a top pad adapted to overlie said end legs, said top pad comprising spaced resilient slabs, rigid bases for said slabs, and a covering for said slabs and bases, said covering having a hinged portion, whereby one of said slabs may be folded into superimposed relationship to the other slab.

9. A dressing table, as defined in claim 9, wherein said top pad is secured to said first-named end legs.

10. A dressing table, as defined in claim 9, wherein said end legs and intermediate leg have outwardly curved lower ends.

r1 1. A spacer for an infant's dressing table, said spacer made of a molded plastic, molded in a single piece, and consisting of a vertical front wall of arcuate cross-section, a top, a bottom, and divergent side .walls extending from said front wall, and terminating in rear edges disposed in a plane inclined to said front wall.

12. A spacer, as defined in claim 11, wherein spaced tubular portions are provided extending from the front wall and into the space between said side walls, said tubular portions adapted for the passage therethrough of fastening elements.

13. A drawer for an infants dressing table or the like, said drawer made of molded plastic, molded in a single piece, and consisting of a bottom, sides forming corners for the drawer, one of said corners being of tubular conformation and provided with a tubular extension which extends below said bottom, said sides extending below said bottom, said sides extending below the level of said bottom to provide a skirt portion for the drawer, said tubular extension extending to a level below the level of the lower edge of said skirt portion, and said sides provided at their upper ends with flanges extending outwardly from the sides and terminating in flanges which extend downwardly in spaced relation to said sides.

14. A drawer, as defined in claim 13, wherein said outwardly extending flanges have oppositely inclined upper surfaces forming a ridge.

15. A drawer, as defined in claim 14, wherein at least one of said sides is provided with an embossment defining an area adapted to be provided with a decorative design.

16. A drawer, as defined in claim 15, wherein said bottom is provided with a depending tenon formed integrally with said bottom and forming a stop element.

'17. In a dressing table of the character described, a pair of end legs, a second pair of end legs, drawers supported by said first-named legs, said drawers having tubular corner portions, drawers supported by said second pair of end legs, said second-named drawers being in staggered relation to said first-named drawers and having tubular extensions fitting into and pivotally movable relatively to the tubular corner portions of said first-named drawers, whereby said second-named drawers may be pivotally moved relatively to said firstnamed drawers.

18. A dressing table, as defined in claim 17, including a fifth leg extending through said tubular corner portions and tubular extensions.

19. A dressing table, as defined in claim 17 wherein spacers are interposed between said first-named legs and said first-named drawers, and similar spacers are interposed between said second-n-amed legs and said secondnamed drawers.

20. A dressing table, as defined in claim 19 wherein said drawers have sides, and fastening elements are provided which extend through said sides and spacers and into said legs.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Betham 206-45 Richardson 312-201 Bettenhausen 312-251 Schauer 312-270 Constantacopoulos 108-63 Bloom 312-111 3 8/1964 Lunn 312-209 X 2/ 1965 Favre 312-201 X 6/1965 Rand 312-202 FOREIGN PATENTS 8/1942 France.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Examiner. 

1. IN A DRESSING TABLE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, A PAIR OF END LEGS, A SECOND PAIR OF END LEGS, AN INTERMEDIATE REAR LEG, DRAWERS SUPPORTED BY SAID FIRST-NAMED LEGS, SAID DRAWERS HAVING TUBULAR CORNER PORTIONS, DRAWERS SUPPORTED BY SAID SECOND PAIR OF LEGS AND PIVOTALLY MOVABLE ABOUT SAID INTERMEDIATE REAR LEG, SAID SECOND-NAMED DRAWERS BEING IN STAGGERED RELATIONSHIP TO SAID FIRST-NAMED DRAWERS AND HAVING TUBULAR EXTENSIONS FITTING INTO THE TUBULAR CORNER PORTIONS OF SAID FIRST-NAMED DRAWERS, SAID TUBULAR EXTENSIONS BEING PIVOTALLY MOVABLE ABOUT THE AXIS OF SAID TUBULAR CORNER PORTIONS OF THE FIRST-NAMED DRAWERS. 